Machine for sorting fruit.



1?. E. SMITH.

MACHINE ron SORTING mm.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.2, 1914.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

///I/ III] /I///// ///////////I////// 1 ll Wibzesses- V fizrejzlair M -BM f THE NORRIS PETERS CO4. FHOTO'LITMOU WASHINGYOM D. C.

I F. E. SMITH.

MACHINE FOR SORTING FRUIT. APPLICATION FILED FEB.2, 1914.

1,1 18,957. Y Patented Dec. 1,1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

volves:

UNITED sTATEsPATENr OFFICE.

- FRANK ROBBINS SMITH, 0F TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANAD-AJ MACHINE FOB SORTIN FRUIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed February 2, 1914. Serial No. 516,062.

To aZZ'whom it-mayconcern:

Be it known that I, FRANK RoBBINs SMrrm-a citizen ofthe United States, residing in the city of Toronto, county of York, Province of Ontario, Canada, have inventedc'ertain new and useful Improve ments in Machines for Sorting Fruit, of

which the following isa specification;

My invention relates to improvements in machines for sorting fruit, and relates moreparticularlyto the provision-of a machine to be used in separating cherries that may pass through the machine patented to me October28, 1913 under Number 10767 94,

for machines for stemming cherries, without having the stems removed therefrom, from the cherries the stems of which havebeen removed by this machine. y

.The principal object of my invention is the production of a machine to perform. the function specified which will be positive in its operation without crushing the fruit.

Another object of my invention is to constructmy machine of the'few'est possible parts so; asto permit repairs to be, easily cffectedf. a r r A still further object of my invention is to construct the feeding cylinder in such a manner that eachcherry will readily pass into its individual pocket as the cylinder re- Further objects of my invention will be pointed out in'this specification:

ofconstruction thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspec- 1 r the frame'I-Lis a sorter 3. This sorter is Figure 1 is a vertical cross section through my machine illustrating the preferred form I tive view of portionofthe feeding cylinder.

Fig."3is a perspective view of portion of the sorter. Fig- 4 is'a perspective view, of the guiding chutes whereby the cherries dropping from the feeding cylinder are directedin their course to the sorter. Fig. 5

is a side elevation partly insection of portion of certain operating gearfor the sorter,

frame in section. elevations of the mechanisms whereby the sorter is locked in normal position at'certain times, and Fig. 91s an end elevat on of the gearingfor operating the sorter.

In the drawingslike characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each. figure.

A is any suitable machine frame in which the operating parts hereinafter mentioned are suitably journaled. B is the feeding cylinder which is suitably journaled in the said machine frame as by means of its shaft C. The cylinder B is longitudinally provided, in opposite sides, with a plurality of longitudinally alined pockets D, each of which is designed to receive a cherry. By any suitable means such' as a drive-pulley (not shown), the cylinderB is rotated (as indicated by arrow in Fig. l) at the desired.

speed. As each set of pockets I) passes by the mouth of the hopper E (which of course is' filled with cherries), a cherry is passed by gravity into each of the said pockets, and the said cherries are prevented from rematurely falling thereoutof by the shield F which is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 1' and spaced a short distance away from said cylinder. screw G is used to secure each end of the said shield in place to the machine frame. Positioned underneath the cylinder B is a frame H, comprising a front plate I which carries a plurality of partitions J spaced apart substantially the same distance as that separating the pockets D. Thesaid illustrated in Fig. 1. Any suitable means,

such as the lugs M carried by the machine frame,and the screw N, are used to secure these said plates in position. Journaled by its shaft 2 in the machine frame, and below provided at each side with a plurality of ribs is substantially the same as that separating the partitions J; in other words, the

said ribs arein. alinement with the partitions'J; The sorter 3 normally occupies subv 'stantially the position illustrated in Fig. 1

so that the floor 6 of each groove 4 willhave a downward-backward inclined position. When the series of pockets D at the undersideofthe cylinder B escape by the lower edge 7 of the shieldF, each pocket D (the walls 8 separating the said pockets D are in alinement with-the partitions K), discharges.

its cherry intoj its corresponding chute K. These cherries fall upon the back plate L which slopes in a downward backward di- Any suitable means such as a extend down to the lower ends of the rection. Since the front plate I does not artitions J, an opening 9 is formed at the lower end of each chute K, and through these openings the cherries escape each into its allotted groove 4: on the sorter. The cherries without stems run down the inclined floors 6 and are collected in any suitable receptacle 10. The cherries with stems cannot roll over because of the stems attached thereto, and they occupy substantially the positions on the sorter illustrated in Fig. 1, where two cherries are illustrated, one with a long stem and the other with a short stem. In due course, the sorter 3 is turnedone-half a revolution in the direction indicated :by arrow, discharging the unstemmed cherries into the receptacle 11.

Lshall now describe the preferred train of gearingfor operating the. sorter. J ournaled, onthe-stub shaft 12 which is held in the, frame A, is a sleeve 13. Keyed to this sleeve isla pinion 14- which is driven by the gear wheel 15 keyed tothe shaft C of the cylinder B. Also keyed to the sleeve. 13 is a toothed sector 16 which at times is in mesh with the. pinion 17ke yed to the shaft-2 of the sorter 3. Immediately the sorter 3 isto be turned. one-half a revolution, the teeth 18 of the sector 16, come into mesh with the teeth of the pinion 17 and turn this pinion so a s to turn said sorter, one-half revolution. In order-to lock the said sorter in normal position illustrated in Fig, l, I use the following preferred means: Keyed to the sleeve 13 is'a secto r 19 with which-co-acts the sectoi-, 2,() keyed to the shaft 2. The. speed of rotation of the various members of the gearing described is such that the shaft 2, of the sorter 3 is being revolved. while the chord :21 ,ofthe sector 19 is opposite the sector 20. Immediately this sector. 20 has inadfiv a complete revolution, the corner 22.0f the sector 19 is positioned a short distances below the corner-23d the sector 20, at which time the toothed segment 16 is out of mesh with the pinion 17. a Cut in the edge of the sector- 20,

.is a-idepression inthe form of an inverted are, 24:. a, The radius of this are is struck from the center of the, stub shaft 12, so

consequently as the sectors 19 is constantly revolving, the said sector will pass by the sectorQO without conflicting.

lg lrom the foregoing description talren in conjunction with Figs. 7 and. 8, it I understood that the contact of the sector 20 withthe sector 19 at the inverted, arc -24:

will effectually prevent the rotation 0f the sorter ,Of course in due course said pin ionl l'l' will be operated to invert'the sorter 3 for, the purpose set forth. a 7

a is'fa chute or shaker o over which the cherries pass, from the stemming already 'referred as, into the hopper b is "a rotary brush journaled by its'shaft lines the said sorter.

will be machine 07in the head d oftheinachine frame Se;

cured to said head D is a vertically disposed Po i i n-for fl irrassase y the shi d f course any su t l means may be m- Played t Per orm h unc n f t Plate 6 and; brush Z A'port en Q the ylinder B, in a vance t he. PeQ etsDiis p an may a ndi e (c a y. g$u end ifo ledg or s elf 7i. .Q lfi Q Q dS-b w en the out r sides he pock ts at ea h' nd of they i er n ee nt nuen and 1 1- ken f rm-1 Th d t d iposit epf. i f t e 3 eekets- D n 171 1 sh ws hat e. d e r shelf z f h hopper The construction ,of this'ledge, orshelf 7 Q I QQ en ire y he grea er portion, of one i ep ea h at c itatin h reas ess of theehen iesy nt said pockets.- 1 It t the p ke s w l m t the hem ses o r e along th shel or ledge f oot er? they will positively pass into the pockets D. W teth pw e pr vid d tice t -at.nianypf the poclre ts D Y-P h PP tEx it P resve a Therefor e it will be understood that/the tr s ipa escr d. Qt its-e ui alen a ways; nas es' y the 3191 1 1 t a anc of the Pa ke h p el t ll, the eby b i lndets o ltbet-t ew l e ttha rea er. por ion o one sid erry.

, t c vi hssidesel an e ualheight, I havefound from pracr g Quidl pass the said cylinder B vis most important. As

e cher es reshape hrdi gh the p ni g 9 a mas s; 1K weste ns nread; aga nst th ewen ed e of. the plate I substantially as illustrated .in 1,.and thefcherry will find lodgm'ent substantially theposition ,showniin, full i w ere the, cherry a i hort Qrhrokenf stole, it

3,,if 'the chave long, stems,

occup'y'fthe dotted position llustrated in Figql 1,011 the sortertfip The width; of ag a -at its salt ti htl aaaiphan he di liiet rqo a he F y S s to perm t'tlie cli ieswitheat st s to race fihere hm h ii e he A Qi fi 1iiig h --,l?? Q 1 m lim t bf I a cherriesfthroi g'h the roov'es "t,.fi,t will be clear there will". ,e no, possibility". of the pherr'ieswith steiiis'or p'ertien. ofstems, Lg- 6 li vent the 'stems "from I causing them .1130 lo ge s id so ter v I11 e-ic mlfihat thisne hi e en les sea,troreaaieraes from whole cherries. "The "brakeaf re receptacle 10. ,By

car

which is of coursermuch more. irregular in form than a whole cherry, will find lodgment on the sorter 3' and willultimately be deposited in the receptacle 11. i

While I have described my machineyas de-:

with any' particular typeof cherry stem-1 ming machine, nor in connection: with any cherry stemming machine. This 1 machine in question of course maybe used for sortmg various kinds of small fruit other than cherries. The bottom of each pocket D. is pierced by a hole 1 which preferably opens into the interior of the cylinder B, which is cored out in places for the sake of lightness in construction. These holes are placed preferably centrally of the pockets D, and being of. lesser] diameter than the said;

pockets form Iannular'shoulders m against which the fruit rests. The provision of the said holes permits small particles to pass through the pockets Dfand so prevent them" from clogging up-J These holes- 1 also prevent any danger of the fruit being held within the pocketsD by air suction when these pockets reach their lowermost position.

. While be the best embodiment of my invention, I desire it to be understood that the prim ciples can be embodiedin different forms and I desire not to be limited beyond the requirements of the prior art, and the terms of my claims. i

What I claim. as my invention is L In a machineof the class described, the combination with a sorter provided with a plurality of grooves the bottoms or floors of which normally occupy an angular position to the horizontal, and journaled in the machine frame; said machine frame, means for periodically rotating said sorter, and means for distributing fruit into the grooves of said sorter at their upper ends. I

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a sorter provided with a plurality of transverse parallel grooves the bottoms or floors of which normally occupy an angular position to the horizontal, and journaled in the machine frame; said machine frame, means for-periodically rotating said sorter, and means for distributing fruit into the groovesof said sorter at their up- 3.- A machine for sortingfruit comprising a machine frame; a rotary cylinder journaled in said frame and longitudinally provided in its outer surface with a plu-, rality of alined pockets; means whereby fruit is introduced into said pockets; a sorter journaled 1n sald machine frame be- Ihave described what consider low said cylinder and provided with a pluralityof grooves in alinement with the said pockets, the floors or bottoms of said grooves normally ocupying an angular position to the horizontal; means for periodically rotating said sorter, and a plurality of guiding chutes positioned between said cylinder and said sorter whereby the fruit dropping from said pocketsis conducted to said grooves, as setforth.

4. A machine for sorting fruit comprising a machine frame; a rotary cylinder journaled in said frame and longitudinally provided' in its outer surface with a plurality of alined pockets, a portion of said cylinder in advance of the said' pockets beingyremoved'to remove entirely the greater por-.

tion of oneside of each of the said pockets, thereby forming a ledge or shelf which moves inadvance of said pockets to facilitate the passage of fruit thereinto, a hopper containing the fruit positioned adjacent said cylinder; a sorter journaled in said machine frame below said cylinder and provided with a plurality of grooves in alinement with the said pockets, the floors or bottoms of said grooves normally occupying an angular position to the horizontal; means for periodi- ,cally rotating said sorter, and means for feeding fruit one at a time to the sorting mechanism, as set forth.

5. A machine for sorting fruit comprising a machine frame; a rotary cylinder jour- 'naled in said frame and longitudinally provided in its outer surface with a plurality of alined pockets, a portion of said cylinder in advance of the said pockets being removed to remove entirely the greater portion ofone side of each of the said pockets, thereby forminga ledge or shelf which moves in advance ,of said pockets to facilitate the passage of fruit thereinto; a hopper containing the fruit positioned adjacent said cylinder; at sorter journaled in said machine frame below said cylinder and provided with a plurality of grooves in alinement with the said pockets, the floors or bottoms of said grooves normally occupying an angular position to the horizontal; means for periodically rotating said sorter, means for feeding fruit one at a time to the sorting mechanism, and a shield positioned in proximity to said cylinder to prevent the fruit from prema turely escaping from said pockets therein, as set forth.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a sorter provided in each side with a plurality of alined transversely extending grooves, the bottoms or floors of which normally occupy an angular position to the horizontal, and journaled in the machine frame; said machine frame, and means c5 51" 01' this patent may be obtained forgive cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of l'a'tents means for supporting said perside of said sorter, and comprising front and back plates and a plurality of partit ons spaced apart forming said chuteswhich are in aline'rnent With said grooves; the lower edge of said'front plate positionedsome distance above the lower ends of said partitions to form a discharge opening at the lower end of each of the said guiding chutes; plates, and means for feeding fruit to said sorter through said guiding chutes. V

7. A cylinder for the of al-ined pockets,

purpose specified, 7 provided in its outer surface with a plurality a portion of said cylinder at each end of the cylinder in a continuous and. unbroken form to facilitate the passage of fruit into said pockets, as set forth.

.In testimony whereof I have 'afiixed my signature in presence oftWo Witnesses.

lVitnesses: V

Nrvnn,

F.'N'. CONRAD.

Washington, D. 0.

FRANK ROBBINS SMITH. 

